Sabalenka Seeks To Tighten Grip On Game

Belarusian's grand record in Slams makes her favourite to clinch Melbourne hat-trick

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Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to win three straight Australian Open titles and the big question ahead of the year's first Grand Slam is: Can anyone stop the Belarusian from strengthening her grip on the women's game?

The 26-year-old world No. 1 is the red-hot favourite at Melbourne Park, where another victory would give her a fourth Slam and widen the gap in the rankings to Poland's Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff of the United States.

Sabalenka, who started her season by winning an 18th career title in Brisbane on Jan 5, has reached at least the semi-finals at nine of her last 12 Slams, a run which included the addition of the US Open crown to her trophy cabinet.

That kind of form has earned comparisons with Serena Williams, who got to the final four at 10 Grand Slams between 2014 and 2017 during a run when the American great won six of her 23 Major singles titles.

"Definitely, I've got some confidence at the Grand Slams," said Sabalenka, who can become the first woman to capture three successive Australian Open titles since Switzerland's Martina Hingis achieved the feat from 1997 to 1999.